José Luis Oltra


José Luis Oltra Castañer is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a midfielder, and a manager.

Playing career

Born in Valencia, Oltra spend the vast majority of his 14-year senior career in the lower leagues, representing Valencia CF Mestalla, SD Sueca, Levante UD, Yeclano Deportivo, Elche CF, Benidorm CF and Ontinyent CF. During an eight-season haul in Segunda División B, he amassed totals of 193 games and 21 goals.
The exception to this was in the 1991–92 campaign, when Oltra was part of CE Sabadell FC's squad in Segunda División. His debut as a professional took place on 8 September 1991, when he came as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 home draw against Real Avilés. He retired in 2001, aged 32.

Coaching career

Oltra started working as a manager immediately after retiring, with amateurs Catarroja CF. In 2002, he was appointed at third level club CD Castellón, leaving two years later by mutual consent and joining another team in that level, Levante UD B.
Late into 2004–05, Oltra replaced fired Bernd Schuster at the helm of Levante's first team for the last four matches. He was not able to prevent La Liga relegation, and was himself relieved of his duties on 1 November 2005 due to poor results.
From 2006 to 2009, Oltra continued to work in division two, with Ciudad de Murcia and CD Tenerife. After collecting 24 wins from 42 games in the latter season, he led the latter team to the third place and the subsequent promotion.
In an emotional press conference, Oltra left the Canary Islands club on 20 May 2010 after suffering relegation. He continued to work in the top flight in the 2010–11 campaign, being one of three managers in charge of UD Almería as they went on to rank in 20th and last position.
Oltra won the 2012 second tier championship with his next team, Deportivo de La Coruña. He was sacked on 30 December of that year, after a 0–2 away loss to RCD Espanyol that left the Galicians ranking last.
In the following seasons, always in the second division, Oltra coached RCD Mallorca, Recreativo de Huelva, Córdoba CF, Granada CF, Tenerife and Racing de Santander.

Managerial statistics

Honours

Manager

Castellón
Deportivo